Young people with neurological conditions are being forced to live in old people's homes without specialist care, a report has found.
There are serious flaws in the way more than one million people disabled by neurological conditions are identified, the report by the charity Sue Ryder, based on Freedom of Information (FOI) data, has revealed.
The Forgotten Millions report said only 5% of 131 responding local authorities know how many individuals with any neurological condition they care for.
Despite necessitating different care requirements, only 6% of local authorities categorise all specific neurological conditions including motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.
Meanwhile, only 10% of local authorities have an agreed commissioning strategy for people with neurological conditions, it found.
Paul Woodward, CEO of Sue Ryder, said one size doesn't fit all when it comes to service delivery.
"Residential care for a 23-year-old with a brain injury shouldn't look the same as residential care for an 85-year-old who is frail and needs support," he said.
"And yet we do not see enough provision of services specifically for people with neurological conditions who may be from younger generations than others with care needs.
"The Government's focus on dementia in recent years is to be commended. However, dementia is not the only neurological condition.
"Often those such as multiple sclerosis, Huntington's and motor neurone disease get overlooked. We would like to encourage a more holistic approach to services for people living with neurological conditions."
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